Monthly Archives: November 2013

Dinah, Yaacob’s only daughter. What became of her? In text there has only been one instance of so called violence against a woman there and it concerns her (Genesis 34). There have been questions in my mind about her for years. However, learning now about the errors in translation; as well as, missing books has prompted me to look for answers.

Here, rape is the premise in the King James text however, I bring another view.

A recap of the event sees “Dinah going out to visit the daughters of the land.” Hence, knowing what we know about Yacob one can note that the family moved around quiet a bit. How do we know that? We know that Jacob had acquired a flock of sheep and goats, and that being that Hebrews are a hunter and gathering tribe, we also know that these tribes moved around alot, because food sources change with seasons and so do water sources. (See: http://hunter-gatherers.org/facts-and-theories.html). Hence, it is fair to say that Dinah, being new to the neighborhood went out to meet new friends (daughters).

“And Dinah, the daughter of Lĕ’ah, whom she had borne to Yaʽaqoḇ, went out to see the daughters of the land” (Genesis 34:1).

There is a problem here then, why does the translated text present a different view? My understanding says that there are terms which lend to excuse in using violence in situations, also lends premise to why women seek abortion and also throws the ‘taking a wife’ law Yah gives and throws it out the window.

“And Sheḵem, son of Ḥamor the Ḥiwwite, prince of the land, saw her and took her and lay with her, and humbled her.” (Genesis 34:2, The Scriptures).

It is the case that changing terms changes the tone of the story. In the King James Bible the term ‘violated’ or ‘defiled’ is used, and in The Scriptures (See: http://www.isr-messianic.org/) uses the term ‘humbled’.

Big difference, Look:

Violate(d). When one is violated, the premise is that a person has been treated irrevelantly, disrespected, desecrated or profaned.

Defile(d). When one is defiled, they are taken advantage of, made foul or dirty, unclean or tainted; made impure.

Humble(d). when one is humbled the premise is that their independence is destroyed, power of the will of that person.

All of these are good terms to know, but one of these is not like the other in the sense that we have to know Law Concerning Virgins to see truth. (While we’re at it lets look at the word concerning the man ‘taking’ a wife for future reference.)

Let’s take a look:

“If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid: Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: And the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him; And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days. But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.”(Dueteronomy 22:13-21).

None of this happened, because the very next verse we see, “And his being clung to Dinah the daughter of Yaʽaqoḇ, and he loved the girl and spoke kindly to the girl.” (Genesis 34:3)

In fact we see that Shekem went and asked his father to go to Yaacob and ask for her to become his wife. Here is the true problem:

This is why she was violated, in the sense of law because she was not betrothed to him. However, we have to know that this is not the brutal rape that we see today. I am taking you somewhere, hang on.

Look what comes next, “And the sons of Yaʽaqoḇ came in from the field when they heard it. And the men were grieved and very wroth, because he had done a senseless deed in Yisra’ĕl by lying with Yaʽaqoḇ’s daughter, which should not be done.” (Genesis 34:7)

She was disrespected (violated) in this sense that once a virgin is found to be no longer a virgin she can’t marry anyone else, according to Hebrew law her life was ruined; as far as marriage is concerned. So we think, because we don’t see anything else about her after her brothers took her out of Shekems house and killed his entire family.

Yaacob was anquished because of his sons. He obviously did not see that the girl was violently raped. He agreed to the marriage of his daughter. Look at what he told his sons:”And Yaʽaqoḇ said to Shimʽon and Lĕwi, “You have troubled me by making me a stench among the inhabitants of the land, among the Kenaʽanites and the Perizzites. And I am few in number, they shall gather themselves against me and shall smite me, and I shall be destroyed, my household and I.” (Genesis 34:30, The Scriptures)

Why are we not told that? We see other women, prostitutes and their story. Hence, Why aren’t we told what happened to her? Surely if she was worth mentioning one would like to know what became of her. Where to look for truth?

In The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, 134) says that Dinah conceived a child, a daughter called Asneth (Shekem’s baby). Asneth grew up and came to live in Potihar’s house in Eqypt. Who else was there? Joseph who was the viceroy to the king and also son to Jacob. Joseph, who eventually married Asenth (his neice) and they had two children; Mansseh and Ephraim. (See also: http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/asnint.htm)Now that so called rape has turned into something else hasn’t it? Through Yah, it is showing us that the event was only made violent because of Yaacob’s sons, and that because of it a child grew up without her father. The fact that she was pregnant was taken out. (To see other accounts: http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/dinah-midrash-and-aggadah).

Another view that comes from this knowledge is that Dinah was a single mother, and was not a disturbed rape victim she went on to do other things, and her life gives hope to other single moms to live a modest life despite trials that come. (Psalms 45:13). For our single moms, no matter the reason for it:

The story of Dinah now becomes a story of triumph for every woman who is naturally influential. We have our work ahead but press on sister. The best is yet to come, Don’t allow anyone tell you different.

“Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies. Because of this, take up the complete armour of Elohim, so that you have power to withstand in the wicked day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12,13).
We should get that although we do struggle against spiritual forces of unrighteousness. It is the case that we should also get that we fight demon possessed people. Oh, nobody wants to admit that their mother, father, kids and other people we deal with are demon possessed. In fact, we are so caught up in television and what media portrays as demon possession that we can’t see that people we deal with everyday are demon possessed. It is the case that people dont have to be vomiting green slime to be so.
Because we do wrestle with this phenomena unseen we should be quick if we are truly called as we say to recognize evil when it is before us, and know this is not a game or one of the silly arguments we have with someone, but evil.

Notice, Ephesians 6:5, starts out with telling servants to obey their Masters. Well that verse will throw someone’s mind off if they have not renewed thinking. We know today people are not slaves in the sense of chains, however, someone is a slave to the god of their world. Hence, are most like that which we follow or think like. For this occasion, this speaks of (for example) someone in the workplace. Therefore, we are servants doing a service for that place. Simple, not difficult at all. However, the problem is not going to work, but working for people who are not set apart. This says, that we might work for people who are unethical, dishonest, liars, and this is difficult for one who has come from among this type thinking. It is not the case of going to work and doing our jobs, but about going to work and doing our job in righteousness. This means trouble if one is walking in TRUTH. BATTLE!

This is why the word proclaims, “Put on the entire armor of Yahwah.” Because without the ENTIRE suit, we are tempted to give in. We cannot fight if we are not walking in truth. So look at this, “Servants, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Messiah; not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as servants of Messiah, doing the desire of Elohim from the inner self,” (Ephesians 6:5,6).

In this instance, we see that again we might choose to give in and do as they wish, or stand for truth. Choose wisely.
Today: Ask yourself, Where is my head at? Am I doing and speaking righteousness even at work? If not change that. Say, no matter what I am for truth! Today I will break from unethical thinking, lies and hypocrisy by speaking and living truth in my workplace.

“Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of Elohim, so that he exalts you in due time, casting all your worry upon Him, for He is concerned about you. Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-8)

Let’s face it, the devil isn’t after people who are already his. He comes to steal, kill and destroy, and frankly, why would he kill steal or destroy what belongs to him.

This is what we should get…that the devil deals with lust. He seduces with trinkets and stuff we like, and it is the case that the minute we decide to go another way; that is THE WAY, he is going to make it hard to stay there.

We should be careful to watch!

The word says, “Resist Him, firm in belief, knowing the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (v.9)

We should question then ‘the belief’ surely a life which follows prosperity doesn’t experience these type hardships and persecutions conveyed by stepping away from that life.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me Oh Yah, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come”. (Psalm 71:18).

This is not a one size fit all word, but Truth. It is the case that one would have an identity to pass something down. Not a legacy of slavery and chains, but of Kingdom righteousness. Yah’s power of redeemption for his beloved. Yes, and how can tnis happen unless Yah reveal to us our worth, our value of who we are?

No, our legacy might include a curse for disobedience, however it includes Truth of a Royal Priesthood hand picked and chosen.